“(F)or making their voices heard,” he said. For “the efforts of the Ukrainian government to conduct these elections in the face (of) provocations and violence,” he claimed.

“This election is another important step forward in the efforts of the Ukrainian government to unify the country and reach out to all of its citizens to ensure their concerns are addressed and aspirations met,” he said.

Fighting rages in Mariupol. People’s Republic of Donetsk headquarters there was targeted.

Attackers were either Right Sector thugs or foreign mercenaries. They wore unmarked black uniforms. No casualty count information was announced.

Sergey Lavrov issued a statement. He denounced ongoing hostilities. He wants them halted.

“Immediately stopping the use of the army against the population and ending any violence by all sides is the top priority task and ‘endurance test’ for the Kiev authorities,” he said.

“We will firmly insist on it, and we will insist on the implementation of all other principles of the adopted Geneva statement.”

“(I)t is absolutely necessary to immediately implement the agreements reached in the Geneva statement of April 17 and stop any violence.”

Poroshenko wants to visit Russia by around mid-June. As long as hostilities continue, he’s persona non grata.

“A Russian trip of Poroshenko is not being considered or discussed by diplomatic or any other channels,” said Lavrov.

“As to the recent events, let me remind you that Poroshenko made a promise to unite the country in his election campaign.”

“He said yesterday his first trip would be made to Donbas but they have a real war there so far.”

“He said that the so-called counterterrorist operation should be rapidly brought to an end, but suggested that should be done through intensification.”

“If there are plans to suppress resistance in the southeast by the army powered with heavy armaments, the National Guard, Right Sector and their ilk before (his) inauguration…so that he comes to Donbas as a victor, I do not think that will create a good environment for the cordial welcome to the Donetsk region.”

“The military operations must be stopped immediately,” Lavrov stressed.

“We hope he will act in the interests of the Ukrainian people as a whole. If this is the case, he will find a serious and reliable partner in Russia.”

At the same time, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said it’s “too early” to invite Poroshenko to Moscow.

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.

About Stephen

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967.